How do I gain a crew's respect?

Shoot them in the one kneecap

They'll respect you after that
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Thats what James Cameron would do.


james_cameron.jpg
 
First of all, just be aware that no matter how hard you try some people just won't like you no matter what. Identify, accept, deal with if necessary and move on.

One thing that has helped me in the past is having an excellent AD that is not afraid to be the bad guy. Some people may not agree with this, but I set this relationship up with my AD before hand.

I'm not saying have an AD that just puts a sour taste in every ones mouth and barks orders, it's just nice to have someone else be a bad guy instead of you as the director.

I agree with the previous poster about how you talk with the crew. Anybody can show up and tell everyone what to do. It's important to use the sandwich approach. For example: "Hey, if you have a second I would really appreciate it if..", "Thanks for doing such a good job today, when you have a second would you mind.." etc.. this goes along way.

If you are making a coffee run or heading through the set take a minute to pat people on the back or give them an encouraging word as you pass by. Taking just a little time with people makes a huge difference. Don't limit this to your crew leaders, DP, 1st ad etc..

Be prepared when you walk onto the set. Know what it is you are shooting and what is coming before and after the current shot. Know your script/project inside and out.

If this has not been established before hand, be sure people go through your AD to get to you regarding any creative suggestions. Creative input should not be given in the open between takes in front of everyone. It should be suggested through a DP or your AD.

If there is an issue that requires resolution, resolve the issue in private or away from the cast and crew.

Do not pretend you know something if you don't. If you don't know the name of a kind of light, or stand or whatever just ask. It is so important that you don't put on airs about something you have no clue about. People pick up on this immediately and you will lose all kinds of respect right away.

Be calm, relaxed, patient, pleasant, and unshakable in your vision and you'll go far.
 
Have a basic - just basic - understanding of what the various people on your crew do.

Be polite. Convey that you have a task to finish, and that your crew are the people upon whom you rely to complete that task. And that you appreciate it. What you're aiming for, is the sense that you could tell people to do things, but you really prefer to just ask.

You will have your crew's respect, the moment you show up. The trick, is not losing it.

If someone has to be the kicking-and-screaming assh*le, for whatever reason, delegate that to your AD. That's a big part of what ADs are for. If you like, you can play Michael Bay/Jim Cameron later, when you're working at their present budgetary level.

No arguments with department heads, in front of your crew. In the same way, and for a lot of the same reasons, as parents shouldn't argue in front of their children.

Be prepared.

Be prepared.

Be prepared. Everyone on your crew has their little separate fragmentary idea of the whole that is supposed to be going on. They are relying upon you to have the big picture view that will roll everyone's little chunk of the work into a whole. No matter how good they are in their individual disciplines, you can render them absolutely unable to do anything worthwhile, simply by not being prepared. And believe me, there's very little that professionals resent more, than being rendered unable to do their work.

Muffins help, too.
 
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I remember Zach Braff had two pieces of advise. First was on the first shot of the first day, only do 1 take no matter what. No one wants to work for someone trying to top Kubrick in number of takes.
Second was schedule the first day with the DP to look hard, but in reality you can finished early. On Garden State, they finished the first day's shooting in a 1/2 day.
 
I like the second piece of advice. I think the first is b.s. I mean, who's going to do one take at the expense of your movie that you've been preparing for for 3 years just so you can trick the crew into thinking you're gonna do one take all the time, when in reality, they'll know less than 24 hours later, that you aren't One-Take Larry.
 
Maybe the idea is that the first shot of the day, is a quick simple easy bit of fluff that probably isn't really expected to be used in cutting the film, anyway.

Although sacrificing even a simple setup like that, for morale purposes, is a little odd.
 
Sad Max said:
No arguments with department heads, in front of your crew. In the same way, and for a lot of the same reasons, as parents shouldn't argue in front of their children.
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I cannot stress how much i agree with this one.

Be prepared.

Be prepared.
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I think this is basically it. Esp on a low/no-budget project. If you show up professional and it's clear you've put all the thought into this and you know what you're doing, I think people will always follow you and be excited to work with you. I use the rule of: "Am I wasting their time?"

On big budget, ****'em they're in a union and getting overpaid anyway.

Okay, that was a joke.
 
for some reason even experienced directors have forgotten the lost craft of Tech Scouting. Its a must for any low budget project and always overlooked and disregard. Have it with the Key Department Members. 1st AD, Script Supervisor, DP, Gaffer, Key Grip, Wardrobe, Sound etc. This shows your crew, that you respect their time and opinion to rundown any problems that might occur on the shot. What we do is at least have the heads get an hour earlier before call time and run down the locations if our budget didn't give us time for a full tech scout.
 
El Gato,

So you're saying every time you're on a new location, get all the department heads there ahead of time and go through the day?
 
c.g._eads said:
El Gato,

So you're saying every time you're on a new location, get all the department heads there ahead of time and go through the day?
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it will save you not only money but will move the production ahead. An hour of prep is worth it. Of course if you are running low on time at least run through the day's shoot list. I swear I've been on full scale production where these idoits think they can just improv the whole day...waste of time.
 
Well, I waded through all the posts and not a single person said what I think is the most obvious answer.

You earn respect. You don't walk on a set of people who you have never worked with before and instantly gain their respect.

The way you earn it is found in many of the previous answers. Be prepared, know what you want to create. Act professionally and treat people with respect and they will come to respect you. No magic.

It takes time.
 
greenheron said:
Well, I waded through all the posts and not a single person said what I think is the most obvious answer.

The way you earn it is found in many of the previous answers.
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so which is it?
 
uhh. keep reading.

Be prepared, know what you want to create. Act professionally and treat people with respect and they will come to respect you. No magic.
 
greenheron said:
uhh. keep reading.

Be prepared, know what you want to create. Act professionally and treat people with respect and they will come to respect you. No magic.
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yeah, those were already covered. so i guess its the latter. :beer:
 
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